Alcoa Inc.

Aluminum Company of America

Arconic Corporation

Daniel L Serafin

Robert E Bombalski

Jean Ann Skiles

Sallie L Blake

Albert L Askin

David S Bennett

Joseph D Guthrie

Paul B Schultz

Frank A Mozelewski

Gary A Nitowski

Clinton Zediak

Thomas L Levendusky

Kenneth A Bowman

Edward C Robinson

Donald J Stanko

Paula A Hinds

James M Marinelli

Luis Fanor Vega

Paula L Kolek

Verne Bergstrom

David A Linde

Donald L Nock

Romeo C Pascasio

Nickolas C Kotow

Samantha M Brandon

Marlene A Thompson

Jennifer L Giocondi

Peter M Emens

Nicholas M Denardo

New methods of producing anodized aluminum alloy products having an improved surface appearance properties are disclosed. The methods may include preparing an aluminum alloy body for anodizing, thereby producing an anodized aluminum alloy body, contacting an intended viewing surface of the anodized aluminum alloy body with an acid, thereby producing a prepared intended viewing surface of the anodized aluminum alloy body, and sealing the prepared intended viewing surface of the anodized aluminum alloy body. The anodized aluminum alloy products may realize a preselected color tolerance, such as realizing a b* value that is within a specified tolerance of a preselected b* value.

Anodized aluminum alloy products having improved appearance and/or abrasion resistance, and methods of making the same

Self-cleaning aluminum alloy substrates and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a substrate is provided, the substrate including an aluminum alloy body, an anodic oxide zone having micropores within a surface of the aluminum alloy body, the anodic oxide zone being substantially impermeable to contaminants, and a photocatalytic film located on at least a portion of the anodic oxide zone, wherein the photocatalytic film comprises photocatalytically active semiconductor. In one embodiment, a method is provided, the method including the steps of forming an anodic oxide zone in at least a portion of an aluminum alloy base, forming a photocatalytic film, the photocatalytic film being located on the anodic oxide zone, and sealing the anodic oxide zone with a sealant, wherein, as sealed, the anodic oxide zone is substantially impermeable to contaminants.

Self cleaning aluminum alloy substrates

A printing plate for computer-to plate lithography having a laser-ablatable member supported by a substrate. At least one portion of the laser-ablatable member is formed form an acrylic polymer containing laser-sensitive particles. The laser-sensitive particles absorb imaging radiation and cause the portion of the laser-ablatable member containing the laser sensitive particles and any overlying layers to be ablated.

Printing Plate

A lithographic sheet product having a substrate with a roll textured surface covered by a pretreatment layer. The pretreatment layer enhances adhesion of a printing composition to the sheet product and is composed of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers of acrylic acid, polymers of methacrylic acid, an organophosphorous polymer and copolymers of an organophosphorous compound and acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. Dopant particles of alumina, silica, titanium dioxide or a black dye or pigment may be added to the pretreatment layer to reduce the gloss and reflectance of the pretreatment layer in a printing process. Etching of the substrate also reduces gloss and reflectance.

Pretreated sheet product for lithographic plates

Printing plate

A printing plate for computer-to plate lithography having a metal substrate with an anodized surface portion. The anodized surface portion has a porous texture in which a radiation-absorbing composition, preferably a black dye, is deposited. The surface portion with the radiation-absorbing composition is covered with a hydrophilic polymer or a sealant both. Upon exposure to laser radiation, the underlying oleophilic anodized surface portion containing the radiation-absorbing composition is revealed. Alternatively, laser radiation of the polymer composition may cause the affinity of the polymer for water and ink to change so that an irradiated portion of the polymer becomes oleophilic while the non-irradiated portion remains hydrophilic.

Printing plate with dyed and anodized surface

A printing plate for computer-to plate lithography having a laser-ablatable member supported by a substrate. At least one portion of the laser-ablatable member is formed form an acrylic polymer containing laser-sensitive particles. The laser-sensitive particles absorb imaging radiation and cause the portion of the laser-ablatable member containing the laser sensitive particles and any overlying layers to be ablated. Alternatively, the printing plate may include a printing member with an initial affinity for a printing fluid that changes to another affinity to printing fluid upon treatment with radiation.

Printing plate having printing layer with changeable affinity for printing fluid

A process for making printing plate material suitable for imaging by laser radiation. A metal substrate is electrocoated in a bath containing a polymeric resin and laser-sensitive particles, thereby depositing a laser ablatable layer on a principal surface of the metal substrate. In one embodiment, the laser-ablatable layer is treated with a corona discharge for a time sufficient to render the layer non-ink wettable. In other preferred embodiments, the laser-ablatable layer is overcoated with an overlayer such as a non-ink wettable silicone layer or a water-wettable layer comprising an organophosphorus polymer, preferably a copolymer of acrylic acid and vinylphosphonic acid.

Printing plate material with electrocoated layer

Radiation treatable printing plate

A prefinished curved reflector suitable for use in recessed lighting, downlighting, head lamps, and tail lamps is made from metal sheet, preferably an aluminum alloy sheet. An outer surface of the metal sheet is either anodized, laminated, or polymer coated to provide desired appearance and performance. Surprisingly, the metal sheet retains its reflectivity and resistance to corrosion even after deformation into a curved reflector.

Prefinished deformable metal reflector sheet

A bright finish aluminum alloy on high strength aluminum or aluminum alloy lamination is disclosed including a bright finish top sheet, a high strength aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate, and an adhesive bonding the bright finish metal top sheet to the high strength aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate to provide a bright finish aluminum on high strength aluminum or aluminum alloy lamination product having brighter finish than a sheet product of said high strength aluminum or aluminum alloy and higher strength than a sheet product of said bright finish aluminum of the same thickness as said lamination product, wherein said lamination product withstands galvanic corrosion. In one aspect, the bright finish metal top sheet is 5657 aluminum foil. In one aspect, the high strength aluminum alloy is 5182 alloy sheet.

Aluminum laminate

A reflective laminated strip includes an aluminum alloy or steel strip having a cleaned and conversion coated outer surface, an adhesive layer adjacent the conversion coated outer surface, and a polymer layer joined to the adhesive layer. An exterior side of the polymer layer is coated with a reflective metal layer that is preferably stainless steel, chromium, nickel or aluminum having a thickness of less than about 5000 .ANG.. In a preferred embodiment, an interior side of the polymer layer is coated with an adhesion-promoting metal layer or metal oxide layer having a thickness of about 50-5000 .ANG..

Laminated strip for use as reflective vehicle trim

A non-corrosive metal on aluminum or aluminum alloy lamination is disclosed including a non-corrosive metal top sheet, an aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate, and an adhesive bonding the non-corrosive metal top sheet to the aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate to provide a non-corrosive metal on aluminum or aluminum alloy lamination product having lighter weight and less cost than a sheet product of the non-corrosive metal of identical thickness, wherein the lamination product withstands galvanic corrosion between the non-corrosive metal top sheet and the aluminum or aluminum alloy substrate. In one aspect, the non-corrosive metal top sheet is stainless steel. In one aspect, the non-corrosive metal top sheet is nickel or nickel alloy.

Non-corrosive metal laminated on aluminum

Growing community of inventors

Wexford, PA, United States of America

Daniel L Serafin